Diaw has been blasted for soaring high above listed playing weight of 215 pounds during a four-season stint with the Bobcats. I know, it must have been the ready availability of Bojangles Fried Chicken in the Charlotte area that led to Diaw’s soaring weight as a Bobcat in a completely new kind of “Bo time.”

But Parker vowed on his show to do what he could to keep Diaw in shape if he was to join the Spurs. Parker also mentioned New York as another possible location if Diaw is bought out at the trade deadline.

‘He’s in shape,” Parker said. “I’m the first to make fun of him when he gains too much weight but right now it’s not the case. We’re very interested to get him but New York is interested too. We’ll see.'”

Obviously, Diaw would be a welcome addition to the Spurs because of his versatility. He could play any of five positions for them — everything from power forward and center (like he did in Phoenix) to maybe even filling some of T.J. Ford’s minutes as a backup point guard in an extreme pinch.

Under a buyout, Diaw would have to agree to reduce his remaining guarantee with the Bobcats by an agreed number, and in return for the Bobcats would waive him in time to sign elsewhere and be playoff-eligible on a new roster. Diaw would have to be waived by March 23 for that to happen.

Diaw is the Bobcats’ second-highest paid player at $9 million, and his contract expires after this season. He hasn’t had much impact this season and briefly lost his starting spot at power forward for the Bobcats, who might be interested in playing younger players like Tyrus Thomas and D.J. White as they finish what to this point has been an extremely disappointing 6-34 record.

Diaw, a 6-foot-8 forward is in his ninth season in the NBA. He will turn 30 next month, but could help the Spurs in a variety of positions. He is averaging 7.6 points, 5.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game.

Whether he would accept significantly less money to be a part of a Spurs team likely headed for the playoffs remains debatable.

But having Parker here with the Spurs to help in their sales pitch to his close friend assuredly won’t hurt their chances.